Kids' Favorite Songs (video)

Elmo is trying to make a Top Ten Countdown list for the radio station, but everyone keeps trying to share their favorite song with him. Meanwhile, Telly can't decide on his favorite song -- is it "The Alphabet Song", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Baa Baa Black Sheep"?

Elmo practices counting backwards for his countdown, but is stopped by The Count, who offers a special song that he hopes will be picked to play on the radio. Aided by four bats, The Count and Elmo sing "This Old Bat." The Count wants to keep singing, but Elmo declines so he can continue practicing.

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Elmo passes by Telly Monster, who's having trouble deciding which of his favorite songs he should choose for the radio countdown. He first sings "The Alphabet Song," backed by a letter A and Z.

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As Elmo continues to practice counting backwards, Snuffy comes by (wearing a sailor's outfit) to present his favorite song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Elmo sings along with Snuffy, and at one point, he climbs on Snuffy's back for a pretend boat ride.

Elmo wants to practice counting in peace, so he finds a quiet place behind some crates. However, his counting is soon interrupted by Prairie Dawn, leading a parade of kids in singing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt." Elmo joins in, even though he initially has trouble saying the name. Elmo then sings the song again with different lyrics to help him count backwards.

Gordon and Miles wake Elmo up for his countdown, and ask which songs he'll be playing on the radio. Elmo reveals that his countdown will only be him counting from 10 to 1, which is why he needed to practice. Elmo leaves just before Telly arrives, announcing that he's finally chosen his favorite song.

Everyone is gathered in the Arbor, and Telly performs his favorite song; "The Alpha Ba Ba Twinkle Song" which combines all three songs. The others enjoy Telly's song and sing a reprise. Then, they all tune in to "Elmo's Top 10 Countdown" on the radio. Elmo carefully counts down from 10 to 1, and receives applause from his friends. Jackman Wolf calls Elmo's counting "phenomenal", even "so cool."

Notes

While the video was released in 1999, Hooper's Store and the Arbor retain their original facades and the Around the Corner sets can even be glimpsed behind Big Bird's nest, indicating that the video was filmed prior to season 30. However, the Telly puppet introduced in season 30 is used in this video.

Scenes from this video, including Telly's songs and "This Old Bat," have appeared as stand-alone Muppet segments in international co-productions, including Sesamstrasse.